Loyalist Township will be partnering with a self-serve rental system known as KAYAKOMAT to offer kayak and stand-up paddle board (SUP) rentals at Centennial Park South in Bath for the first time.

As of now, there are no kayak and SUP rentals in Loyalist Township with direct access to Lake Ontario. The current parks and recreation master plan notes the township should be increasing programming in both structured and unstructured outdoor activities. To uphold their plan, township council passed the motion at their June 26 meeting to partner with KAYAKOMAT to offer rentals and programming.

The partnership also includes the township's ability to access the equipment for recreation programming within the community. A trained instructor will be required for most programming, with costs being covered through program registration fees. As there will be no cost for use of the equipment, it will be possible to keep the registration fees low, ensuring accessibility to the program.

KAYAKOMAT provides and has responsibility for all equipment, including racking, kayaks, SUPS, personal floatation devices (PFDs), and all required safety equipment. They are also responsible for all marketing and signage related to the rental service. The partnership would have no impact on the 2023 council approved budget, as there will be no cost to the township beyond day-to-day maintenance of the park, which is already part of township operations.

The user experience will be a self-service digital operating system: customers will book through an app and receive a code giving them access to equipment. This new rental service will provide an option for people who cannot afford to purchase, transport and or store their own equipment.

The new rental service will also allow residents who currently cannot access Lake Ontario access to the lake. The township also hopes it will attract longer stays from visitors seeking activities in the township. This could also help boost local economy with more activity for local businesses.

Centennial Park South in Bath was determined by the township to be an ideal location because of its gentle beach entry, and the breakwater which provides a small bay area with good conditions for launching kayaks and SUPs. It also is is close to local businesses, and has its own parking and washrooms.

Coun. Carol Parks noted the importance of more traffic in the area due to the new rental service.

"I think this is a great initiative. I also think it's a great opportunity to utilize the park area too, to try to bring out families to that area," said Parks.

2023 will act as a pilot year for the partnership. If 2023 is successful, and based on mutual agreement of both parties, the agreement would be extended for 2024 and 2025.

The new programming will be added to the townships list of programming when it is finalized. All township programming will be communicated through regular marketing channels such as newsletters, social media, the township website, posters and the township Explore and Play guide.

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